Plain loom



United States Patent [72] Inventor Max Schiller Zurich, Switzerland :1 Appl. No 773,020 [22] Filed Nov. 4, 1968 [45] Patented Oct 13, 1970 [73] Assignee Contraves AG Zurich, Switzerland a corporation of Switzerland [32] Priority Nov. 17, 1967 [3 3] Switzerland [3 l 16126/67 54 PLAIN LooM 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

243,077'12/1946 Switzerland .L 139/55 Primary Etiiininer-James K. Chi Atrorney werner W, Kleeman position. The thread lifting elements prepare the warp threads for'shed forming for the next insertion of filling in that, depending upon the manner of controlling said thread lifting elements, each associated warp thread is either raised and retained in a preparatory raised position for shed forming or is not influenced by the associated thread lifting element. A shed forming mechanism is disposed at the other side of the plane of the warp threads and is movable towards and away from said plane in synchronism with the insertion of filling. The shed forming mechansim is provided with entrainment means including an entrainment member for each warp thread which, at the region of the plane of the warp threads, releases the previously entrained warp threads and upon reversal of the movement of the shed forming mechansim engages those warp threads which have been raised and retained in the raised position by their associated thread lifting element, to thereby form the shed for the n'ext filling insertion.

Patented Oct. 13,1970 3,533,450

Sheet I or 4 Sheet 3 of 4 PLAIN LOOM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved plain loom and, in its more specific aspects, concerns a new type of shed forming mechanism for such type loom.

In known plain looms each warp thread or end has associated therewith a heddle with a heddle eye or eyelet for the relevant thread in such a manner that the relevant warp thread, for the purpose of forming the shed, can be upwardly displaced by carrying out an upward movement of the associated heddle out of the plane of the warp threads. In the case of dobby looms a respective predetermined group of heddles are mounted at a harness frame so that all of the warp threads or ends associated with this harness can be collectively raised by carrying out an upward movement of such harness. Depending upon the number of harnesses and the controllability of these harnesses in various combinations, it is possible to produce more or less variable weaves in manifold sequences, wherein, then, for the attainment of further patterns or samples it is possible to rely upon the selection of different types of dyed or colored filling or weft threads.

If an irregular pattern is to be produced, for instance for the weaving of printed labels, or the like, then Jacquard looms are employed. In these type looms the desired combination of sheds and each desired sequence of such shed combinations is controlled by a prepared pattern card or tape. When weaving is accomplished in accordance with the Jacquard technique all of the heddles are raised during each work cycle. The heddles provided for forming the face threads for the next insertion of filling are retained in their raised position, whereas the other heddles drop back, and thereafter the insertion of the filling occurs. The working width and the working or operating frequency of such universally employed Jacquard looms are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved shed forming mechanism for a loom which enables the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions to be effectively overcome.

Another, more specific object of the invention relates to the provision of a new and improved type of shed forming mechanism suitable for providing the conditions necessary for having the loom carry out its weaving function with a large working width and at a high working frequency, and can be used for the weaving of standard fabrics as well as also for special or fancy patterns.

Still a further significant object of the present invention concerns itself with a loom construction employing a novel type of shed forming mechanism which enables a changeover from weaving one pattern to another pattern type without necessitating any mechanical alterations at the loom, rather simply requires the introduction of a different program storage device, for instance the insertion of a different perforated card or tape or the like.

Yet a further significant object of the present invention is aimed at providing a loom construction which simplifies the warping of the warp ends or threads in that the latter need not be threaded through the eyes or mails of heddles, rather must only pass between the thread guide lamellae or wires of the beating reed and the guide grid.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the plain loom of the present invention is generally manifested by the features that a respective controllable thread lifting element for each warp thread is arranged at one side of the plane of the warp threads. Each such thread lifting element is constructed and operated in sucha manner that it always prepares the shed for the next insertion of the filling or weft in such a way that, in dependency upon the manner in which each thread lifting element is controlled, it either displaces the associated warp thread out of its normal position into a preparatory position and retains such warp thread in the preparatory position or does not influence the relevant warp thread during its return back towards the normal position. Furthermore, the invention contemplates the provision of a shed forming mechanism at the other side of plane of the warp threads which can be moved in tact or in rhythm with the insertion of the filling pick towards the plane of the warp threads and away from such plane. This shed forming mechanism incorporates an entrainment element for each associated warp thread. In the reversing phase of siich shed forming mechanism at the plane of the warp threads, after release of the warp threads which were entrainedfor the last shed forming operation, such shed forming mechanism engages the warp threads which were raised into the preparatory position and retained thereat and entrains such raised waip threads for the purpose of forming the shed for the next slabsequent insertion of the filling. Additionally, the following further features can be advantageously provided:

a. Each thread lifting element can have associated therewith a displacement or drive mechanism which can be ciintrolled as a function of a prescribed weaving program dependently of the displacement or drive mechanisms for the other thread lifting elements. b. Predetermined groups of thread lifting elements can have associated therewith a respective common displacement or drive mechanism which can be controlled in giccordance with a predetermined weaving program independently of the displacement or drive mechanisms of the other groups of thread lifting elements. c. During simultaneous application of the preceding features certain thread lifting elements can be actuated, as a function of the weaving program, either by only the associated displacement or drive mechanism or by the coirnmon displacement mechanism of the relevant group of lifting elements.

d. In order to displace the thread lifting elements, it is possible to employ means or mechanisms which can be operated by a pressurized working fluid medium.

e. The control commands'for the displacement or drive mechanisms of the thread lifting elements can be derived from a program storage device which is indexed stepwise in tact or synchronism. with the insertion of thefilling or weft, or, in fact, can be derived from a programmed computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed Y drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a portion of a plain weaving loom equipped with a first embodiment of inventive shed forming mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the shed forming mechanism of FIG. 1, taken substantially along the line II-II thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side view, quite similar to the showing of FIG. l, I

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention, as presented hereinafter, it will be understood that,

for the purpose of simplifying the illustration in the drawings,

only enough of the loom structure has been shown to enable one versed in the art to fully understand the inventive concepts involved. Directing attention now specifically to the loom structure of FIG. 1, the therein depicted exemplary embodiment of plain loom will be understood to encompass a standard warp beam and cloth beam 11. The warp threads or ends 12 are suspended in the usual manner between this warp beam 10 and the cloth beam 11 so that such warp threads 12 are disposed in a plane A-A. Reference numeral 13 denotes the reed lamellae or wires which are used during shed forming for the spacing and exact guiding of the warp threads 12.

Continuing, it will be seen that beneath the warp thread plane A-A there are arranged a number of cylinders 14. Each cylinder 14 is provided in its associated cylinder compartment with a respective piston member 140. Each such cylinder 14 and associated piston member 140 defines a controllable displacement or drive mechanism for the associated thread lifting element 15. Depending upon whether the upper face or the lower face of piston member 140 is contacted by a pressurized working fluid medium, the thread lifting element 15 operably associated with such fluid-loaded piston member 140 will assume either the lower or upper position of two possible positions. Conventional flip-flop or reversing valve means 16 serve to control the movements of the associated piston member 140 so that the latter will assume the one or the other operating position. These flip-flop valve means 16, in turn, are either electromagnetically or pneumatically or hydraulically controlled, as desired, and the specific type of control utilized for such valves is not critical to the inventive concepts and is well known in the art.

As far as the structure of the thread lifting elements 15, these will be seen as comprising lamellae or bars 150 which extend between two neighboring lamellae or wires 13 of the previously mentioned loom reed. Each warp thread or end 12 has associated therewith such type of thread lifting element 15, and each of these thread lifting elements in turn, has associated therewith a drive cylinder 14 and drive piston member 140 serving as the drive mechanism, and which can be actuated independently of the other cylinders 14. Consequently, there is provided a staggering of the thread lifting elements 15 in the direction of the warp threads 12 so that adjacently arranged lifting elements are operably associated, for instance, with each third warp thread. Each thread lifting element 15 which is located in its lower position allows the associated warp thread 12 to assume, without influence, its normal or basic position 12a in the warp thread plane A-A, yet upon being displaced into its upper position each such thread lifting element causes the associated warp thread to be lifted into the phantom line preparatory position 12b along the height of the plane 8-8, as best shown in FIG. 1.

With the aid of a schematically illustrated crank drive means 17 a loom beam arrangement 18, which is pivotably mounted at a horizontal extending shaft 180 approximately at the level of the plane 8-8, is rocked or pivoted in tact with the insertion of the filling and at a predetermined phase position with respect thereto alternatingly out of the upper reversing position shown in full lines in FIG. 1 into the lower reversing position shown in phantom lines, and then back again into the opposite position, and so forth. The aforementioned loom beam arrangement 18 supports the entrainment elements 19 arranged in rows, these entrainment elements having thread engaging hook means 190 operably associated with respective ones of the warp threads 12. The entrainment elements 19 will be considered in greater detail in conjunction with the description of FIG. 2 to follow hereinafter. At the moment it is sufficient to mention that all of the entrainment elements 19 mounted at the loom beam arrangement 18 driven up and down with an oscillating or pivotal motion serve to provide the actual shed forming mechanism. More specifically, in this connection when the loom beam arrangement 18 assumes its lower reversing position the entrainment elements 19 free the warp threads previously seized or entrained, and thereafter engage those warp threads which are now retained in the raised or lifted preparatory position by the associated thread lifting elements 15, in order to thereby form the shed for the next insertion of the filling when such loom beam arrangement 18 has assumed its upper reversing position shown in full lines in FIG. 1. Furthermore, it is to be understood that reference character 12c represents those warp threads which have been engaged and raised for the purpose of forming the shed. The filling or weft thread insertion means have only been conveniently pictorially symbolized by the schematically depicted shuttle 20. Such filling insertion means can be constructed in practically any of the conventional ways since the present in vention is only primarily concerned with a novel and improved type of shed forming system, Also, for these reasons the components serving to beat the filling have not been shown.

Simply on the basis of what has already been previously considered and explained with respect to the loom construction depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings, it should be readily apparent that with such type loom it is possible to obtain every desired type of weaving pattern with periodically repeating weaves and also random free and irregularly introduced special weaves. The only requirement for achieving such is to provide a proper program control for the displacement or drive mechanisms for the thread lifting elements 15, such program control corresponding to the desired weaving pattern. As should be apparent to those skilled in the weaving art, the control commands required for-these displacement mechanisms can be derived, for instance, from a program storage device which is properly indexed stepwise in tact or synchronism with the introduction of the filling, for instance, by using a perforated tape or card, or an arrangement of cam disks. However, it is also possible to derive these control commands for the displacement mechanisms for the thread lifting elements from a programmed computer. Such well known program storage device or programmed computer has therefore only been schematically represented in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 100, and, it should be understood, can be also used in the modified arrangement of FIG. 3. The illustrated and described plain loom can, therefore, fulfill all of the functions of the known Jacquard loom without, however, possessing the basic drawbacks inherent with such loom with regard to the attainable fabric width and the frequency of the insertion of the filling, in contrast to high speed looms for mass-produced goods.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing details of the inventive shed forming mechanism, it will be understood that reference numeral 21 designates the stationary frame for the reed lamellae or wires 13. The loom'beam arrangement 18 mounted upon the shaft 180, and driven by the crank drive 17, carries the sheet metal entrainment elements 19. At the underside or bottom edge of each entrainment element 19 there are provided the thread engaging or entrainment members 190 for the warp threads,.here depicted in the form of hooks or finger members 190 directed towards one side, as shown. The sheet metal entrainment element 19 depicted in FIG. 2 is displaced by the loom beam arrangement 18 along the displacement path schematically indicated by the phantom line arrow C of FIG. 2. More precisely, it will be appreciated that the loom beam arrangement 18, in addition to its oscillatory up and down movement, in each case, also has imparted thereto at the region of the lower reversing position a lateral deflection movement. As a result, the hooklike thread engaging or entrainment members 190 can release the tensioned warp threads 12 shortly prior to the movement reversal action, thereafter can again engage from the side the warp threads 12b retained in the preparatory position by the thread lifting elements 15, and then, for the purpose of forming the upper shed can lift or raise such engaged warp threads. This lateral movement of the loom beam arrangement 18 and the entrainment hook members 190 can basically be achieved by imparting a to-and-fro movement to the shaft in its bearing block 181 through the action of the hydraulically or pneumatically operated drive cylinder arrangement 23 with associated reversing valve means 23a.

1n the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 each respective group of warp thread lifting elements or lifters 15, for instance those of uneven and even arrangement, have operably associated therewith a common displacement mechanism in the form of the cam rails 31 and 32 respectively. These cam rails 31 and 32 each can be positionally adjusted selectively into one of two working positions by means of a respective hydraulically or pneumatically operated cylinder arrangement 34 provided with associated work piston 34a, through the action of the reversing or flip-flop control valve means 36. In the illustrated position, the cam rail 31 enables the associated thread lifters to assume their ineffectual lower position, whereas the other cam rail 32 has raised or lifted the therewith associated thread lifters 15, so that the relevant warp threads are retained in the preparatory position 12b. Simple bolt elements 150, or equivalent structure, can be provided as the movement transmission elements between the cams 150a of the cam rails 31 and 32 and the associated thread lifters 15. In this case it would only be possible to weave with both groups of cam rails 31 and 32 and their associated thread lifters fabrics or goods having a standard linen weave with a lzl repeat. However, in accordance with the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the bolt members 150 are operably associated with pistons 141 which can be individually raised in the associated cylinders 14, under the controlled action of the valve means 16, against the return or restoring force of a respective spring member 142. This allows for the following advantageous mode of operation:

A. Weaving of the basic fabric or ground texture in linen weave. In so doing, all of the pistons 141 of the cylinders 14 assume their rest position. The pistons 34a of the cylinders 34 are alternately displaced by the valve means 36 into their work position and rest position.

B. Introduction of dyed threads for providing patterns in the fabric in the manner of a Jacguard weave.

Furthermore, the cam rails 31 and 32 are placed into their basic or normal position and the programmed shed forming operation is prepared through appropriate individual control of the cylinders 14 by means of the valve means 16. After successful insertion of this dyed or colored filling there is again prepared for the purpose of interlacing such filling a linen weave shed which, however, with respect to the previous used linen weave shed must be similar but opposite.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown the drive mechanism or means which brings about the small lateral displacement movement of the loom beam arrangement 18 previously described in conjunction with FIG. 2, during travel thereof into the lower reversing position for the purpose of freeing and again engaging the raised warp threads which have assumed their preparatory position. This lateral motion of the loom beam arrangement is achieved as follows:

The loom beam arrangement 18, moved up and down by the crank drive mechanism 17 and provided with the thread entrainment elements 19, carries at its free end a guide'shaft 41 guided in a link or crank slot 42 of a guide member 43. Guide member 43 is pivotably mounted upon a shaft 44 and is urged by a spring 45 against a cam disk 46 rotating in tact with the filling insertion, that is, in synchronism with the crank disk drive 17. For this purpose there can be used, as shown, a roller member 47 as a cam follower. Whenever the loom beam arrangement l8 assumes its lower reversing position, the guide piece or member 43 with its link slot 42 will be laterally rocked or shifted against the action of the spring 45 by the It should be apparent from the foregoing detailed description, that the objects set forth at the outset to the specification have been successfully achieved.

lclaim: 1. A plain loom comprising a thread lifting means provided for each warp thread at one side of a plane containing the warp threads, each thread lifting means incorporating a displaceable thread lifting element for each associated warp thread which can be individually displaced by fluid pressure means out of its ineffectual rest position into a working position above said plane containing the warp threads, and shed forming means disposed on the opposite side of said plane containing the warp threads and alternately movable towards and away from said plane in synchronism with the insertion of filling, said shed forming means comprising a thread entrainment member provided for each warp thread which at the region of the plane of the warp thread releases the previously entrained warp threads, and upon reversal of the movement of the shed forming mechanism entrains those warp threads whose associated thread lifting elements have been displaced into said working position, in order to form the shed for the next insertion of the filling.

2. A plain loom as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the displacement of said thread lifting elements comprises a displacement mechanism for each thread lifting element which can be controlled in accordance with a prescribed weaving program independently of the displacement mechanisms for the other thread lifting elements.

3. A plain loom as defined in claim 1, wherein a respective common displacement mechanism is provided for respective predetermined groups of thread lifting elements, each respec-' tive common displacement mechanism being controllable according to a predetermined weaving program independently of the operation of the respective common displacement mechanisms for the other groups ofthread lifting elements.

4. A plain loom as defined in claim 1, wherein said thread lifting elements and saidentrainment means of said shed forming mechanism are staggered in the direction of the warp threads.

5.A plain loom as defined in claim 1, wherein said entrainment member for each warp thread of said shed forming mechanism comprises a hooklike thread engaging member directed towards one side, and means for driving said shed forming mechanism towards and away from said plane of the warp threads, said driving means for said shed forming mechanism including means for imparting an additionallateral to-and-fro movement to said shed forming mechanism during the reversing movement of said shed forming mechanism at the region of the plane of the warp threads, in order to release the previously entrained warp threads and thereafter to engage by means of said hooklike engaging members the warp threads which have been raised into their preparatory position. 

